Neuropathy: Causes abound but treatments exist that could lessen pain

As far as ailments go, neuropathy may not be one that everyone has heard of or even knows much about, yet the Neuropathy Association estimates at least 20 million people — roughly one in 15 nationwide — have it in one form or another.

Essentially, neuropathy means nerve damage, said Dr. Chris Peters, a San Diego chiropractor who specializes in the neurological field.

The injured nerves interfere with the body’s ability to communicate with muscles, organs and tissues. As a result, the disease can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness and pain in certain areas of the body, often starting in the hands and feet.

According to the Neuropathy Association, neuropathy is the most common chronic neurological disease and a leading cause of adult disability.

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Adding to the complexity of neuropathy is the fact that there are more than 100 known types of the disease.

The most common type is found among diabetics, which the Neuropathy Association estimates represents more than a third of all neuropathies.

Dr. Jennifer Jothen, a neurologist in Chula Vista, said diabetics typically have peripheral neuropathy in the hands and feet because the disease destroys blood vessels that feed small nerves in the extremities. That blocks nerves in the hands and feet from feeding back information properly to the brain, creating a loss of sensation.

She said with this type of neuropathy, sufferers can experience no sensation to a dull pain, tingling or the sensation of “ants crawling on the feet.” While this type starts in the fingers and toes, it can progress toward the knees and up the arms.

Another common neuropathy is idiopathic, meaning there’s simply no known cause.

Other causes, said Dr. Michael Huntley with San Diego’s Huntley Pain Specialists, often include nerve damage from alcoholism, toxic chemotherapy drugs used to fight cancer, HIV, shingles, carpal tunnel syndrome and hernias.

“It’s a very broad group of conditions,” he said.

Peters said that while it’s common for many people with undiagnosed neuropathy to dismiss their symptoms, if left untreated, the disease can lead to serious issues such as the inability to walk and move around.

Among the elderly, the loss of feeling in the feet can cause a loss of balance and lead to falls that could result in fractured bones.

In addition, reduced feeling in the feet means sufferers can step on a nail or sharp object and not realize they have a wound, which can result in infections or even amputation.

And in many cases, Peters said, neuropathy is often the first symptom of an underlying disease, such as Lou Gehrig’s or diabetes, which can result in kidney failure, blindness and other health issues without proper care.

“A lot of times, people don’t take (their neuropathy) symptoms seriously. Most people think, ‘Oh, I’ve got some tingling, no big deal,’” Peters said. “Some neuropathies can be fatal. Often, people wait until it gets worse (before seeking treatment).”

Peters said proper diagnosis and evaluation at the early stage is essential to getting treatment that can help with recovery and regaining function.